When it comes to making YouTube videos too long, I’m the prime culprit. I’m not at all selective when it comes to the content, I want every single bit in the final video. What I’m criticised on consistently when I upload a video is the length and the amount of needlessly added content. So sue me, though it might be due to my stubborn and conceited nature, I suffer from severe reluctance when it comes to cutting down my content.

What I need to learn is that my content is more likely to be watched in its entirety if it’s a bite-sized and palpable video. I was looking at some statistics, the average attention span in 2012 was just 8 seconds. So in order for a video to gain views, it must be regularly punctuated with something that will grab the viewers attention and regain their interest. Just to point out that the average attention span of a goldfish is apparently 9 seconds, so next time someone tells you that you have the attention span of a goldfish, the correct answer is “thank you”. One I can certainly believe is the statistic that office workers on average check their email 30 times an hour. But here’s the important one if you’re a regular uploader, the average length watched of an internet view was just 2.7 minutes. So if you’re producing 30 minute long programmes, the chances are no-one is watching the whole this. Unless it’s incredibly gripping, and even then – 30 minutes? Snore! I could be doing more productive things with my time, like checking my emails.

It seems the general rule with online video production is simply keep it short, and keep it interesting. If you’re like me in that you’re not brilliant at cutting your content enough for it to be a valued addition to the YouTube shelf, then you might want to look at this video I came across. Don’t worry, it’s not long. These video blogs are produced by a Norfolk web marketing corporation, Lambda Films, and if you’re looking for tips for promoting your video content then it’s a great blog to follow.

The gist of the video is to effectively respect the viewers time, but it provides some techniques in maintaining your viewers attention as well. Initially you should grab their attention with an introduction. If you’re introduction is a dull as a dreary Wednesday, then it doesn’t bode well for the rest of the video. Even if the rest of the video is golden, if your opening is not engaging then you’ll have instantly lost some valuable viewership.

The video also reiterates that irrelevant material needs to be cut, and be brutal. Think more about what’s interesting to the masses rather than your individual perspective. It might be your baby, but the harsh fact is that not everyone is as interested as you are. Unless you make it that way, and the duration is a huge part of that. I’ll let you know if these tips help my own video promotion. If you apply these techniques to your own videos, let me know how you get on in the comments below!